In less than two weeks, undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather makes his return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. With a huge slate of boxing scheduled over the next two weekends, let's take a look at the Top 10 fights for the remainder of 2011. It should be noted that only fights that have already been officially announced and will actually be shown on American television are listed.
10. Robert Stieglitz vs. Mikkel Kessler (Nov. 5 - SHOWTIME)
If nothing else, it should be interesting to see how well Stieglitz stands up to the always entertaining Kessler. Mikkel will have his home country behind him, so it will be a tough test for the WBO champion. This fight will be shown on tape delay as the opening televised bout to Lucian Bute vs. Glen Johnson. Entertainment rating: 7.5 out of 10.
9. Bryan Vera vs Andy Lee (Oct. 1 - HBO)
Lee will be looking for revenge after his 2008 loss to Vera in a fight that opens HBO's coverage of Sergio Martinez vs. Darren Barker. This one should be more entertaining than the main event. Entertainment rating: 8.5 out of 10.
8. Lucian Bute vs. Glen Johnson (Nov. 5 - SHOWTIME)
The "Road Warrior" takes his show north to try and upset Bute in Canada. It has been difficult for Johnson to earn decision victories throughout his career, and this fight will be no different. Johnson may have to knock Bute out to win, but Lucian has shown some vulnerability in the past and Johnson never stops coming forward. Entertainment rating: 9 out of 10.
7. Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon (Sept. 10 - HBO)
Let's face it. When Gamboa is in the ring, something spectacular is bound to happen. While Gamboa's speed and skills may overmatch Ponce De Leon in the end, it should be a brawl to the finish. Entertainment rating: 9 out of 10.
6. Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek (Sept. 10 - HBO)
Not many people are giving the former cruiserweight champion, Adamek, much of a chance to win, but he is the first true boxer Klitschko has been in the ring with in awhile. Couple that with the fact that Klitschko is now 40 years old and has only fought one round in the past 11 months, and we have the makings of a potential upset. Don't completely rule Adamek out of this one. Entertainment rating: 4.5 out of 10.
5. Erik Morales vs. Lucas Matthysse (Sept. 17 - HBO PPV)
No matter how long, or short, this fight goes, it will almost assuredly be the most entertaining fight on the "Star Power" pay-per-view card. These two warriors will slug it out and we are guaranteed to see major fireworks. This would be a main event fight on 90% of fight cards and is a surefire fight of the year candidate. Entertainment rating: 10 out of 10.
4. Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson (Oct. 15 - HBO PPV)
At 46-years-young, B-Hop has nothing left to prove. His opponent, however, wants to prove all his doubters wrong and show why he earned the moniker of "Bad" Chad. Both fighters have promised to bring the fight to one another and Hopkins is known to back up his word. This has the potential of a snooze-fest, but both fighters have promised anything but. Entertainment rating: 6.5 out of 10.
3. Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch (Oct. 29 - SHOWTIME)
The finals of the Super Six Tournament pit two of the originals who earned their place in the championship. Ward is the clear favorite, but Froch can never be counted out with his all-action, relentless effort. Ward will want to keep this fight technical, but he may have no choice except to brawl when Froch begins to apply the pressure. Entertainment rating: 8.5 out of 10.
2. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (Nov. 12 - HBO PPV)
After two epic battles, Pacquiao and Marquez will meet for a 3rd time. Marquez wants to prove he won the first two fights, and Pacquiao is looking to hold on to his place at the top of the sport. Not many are giving Marquez a chance because they believe he has lost a step and he is moving up two weight divisions, but he seems to have the magic formula to giving Manny trouble, which is why most people will tune in. One thing about Marquez, he won't go down without a fight, and Pacquiao may knock him out to make a statement. Entertainment rating: 8 out of 10.
1. Victor Ortiz vs. Floyd Mayweather (Sept 17. - HBO PPV)
The return of Floyd Mayweather always brings a huge buzz to the sports world, but never has Floyd taken this much time off to come back and face a young, powerful lion like Ortiz. While Mayweather's skill level is undoubtedly better than Ortiz, "Vicious" Victor has the power to hurt Mayweather badly. Shane Mosley proved Floyd is human, and now Ortiz looks to prove that Floyd is beatable. Entertainment rating: 8 out of 10.
Other fights you won't want to miss...
- Saul Alvarez vs. Alfonso Gomez (Sept. 17 - HBO PPV)
- Sergio Martinez vs. Darren Barker (Oct. 1 - HBO)
- Toshiaki Nishioka vs. Rafael Marquez (Oct. 1 - FOX DEPORTES)
- Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia (Oct. 15 - HBO PPV)
- Nonito Donaire vs. Omar Narvaez (Oct. 22 - HBO)
- Ricky Burns vs. Adrien Broner (Nov. 26 - HBO)
[ Follow David Kassel on Twitter @BoxingObserver ]